Combination blow dryer and garment steamer system

ABSTRACT

A combination blow dryer and garment steamer system for drying hair and releasing wrinkles from fabric. In one embodiment of the present invention, the combination blow dryer and garment steamer system may be a device having the general shape of a gun with a handle and a perpendicular barrel. The device includes plastic body which houses an adjustable electrically-powered hair dryer with a fan and heating element capable of projecting air from the barrel at varying levels of intensity and varying levels of heat. The device includes a power cord and plug for use with a standard electrical outlet. The plastic body also includes a connection for a removable and refillable water reservoir and further houses a water pump, diffusion mechanism, and steam-producing water heating element.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is related to and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/632,398 filed Feb. 19, 2018, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present disclosure. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art nor material to the presently described or claimed inventions, nor that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of electric heating and more specifically relates to hand-manipulative electric heating devices.

2. Description of Related Art

Many people put a lot of effort into their appearance, both in regard to grooming and their attire. There are often situations where such a person is very short on time and wishes to remove wrinkles from the clothes they intend to wear. This can be especially true for people travelling, in particular those travelling for business. In some cases, the location where the traveler is staying does not offer means of quickly removing wrinkles from clothes or drying and styling hair. Many travelers may wish to bring their own solutions to these problems but need to save space and weight in their luggage so bringing an iron or garment steamer in addition to a hair dryer is not practical. A solution is desired to address the aforementioned problems.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,114,022 to Herbert A. Braulke, III relates to a combined hot air and steam hair dryer. The described combined hot air and steam hair dryer includes a combined hot air and steam hair dryer providing for discharge of hot air and steam through the same aperture, comprising a housing, constituting an air chamber, supported on a balancing base, and provided with a discharge aperture at the forward end and an air inlet means at the rear end, with a motor-powered fan in the latter to drive the air towards the aperture. Intermediate the ends of the housing are provided a plurality of heating coils and, forward thereof, adjacent the aperture, a steam generating casing enclosing a heat rod and having discharge holes in the direction of the aperture, with the heat rod, coils and motor interconnected to a lead wire leading to an electric source and simultaneously activated by a switch. The base contains a water reservoir provided with a pump, to which is connected a hollow tubing leading into the casing, with means to inject water from the reservoir thereinto, therein expanding the water into steam, to be sprayed from the discharge aperture with the hot air.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known electric heating art, the present disclosure provides a novel combination blow dryer and garment steamer system. The general purpose of the present disclosure, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a combination blow dryer and garment steamer system. In one embodiment of the present invention, the combination blow dryer and garment steamer system may comprise a device having the general shape of a ‘gun’ with a handle and a perpendicular ‘barrel’. The device preferably includes a plastic body which houses an adjustable electrically-powered hair dryer with a fan and heating element capable of projecting air from the barrel at varying levels of intensity and varying levels of heat. The device includes a power cord and plug for use with a standard electrical outlet. The plastic body also includes a connection for a removable and refillable water reservoir and further houses a water pump, diffusion mechanism, and steam-producing water heating element.

A combination blow dryer and garment steamer system for drying hair and releasing wrinkles from fabric is disclosed herein. The combination blow dryer and garment steamer system for drying hair and releasing wrinkles from fabric includes a ‘durable’ body; the durable body including a handle; a barrel, the barrel being generally perpendicular to the handle and may include a rear aperture may have a rear grille, a front aperture may have a front grille, and a top aperture; a steam production subsystem, the steam production sub-system including a removable water reservoir, the removable water reservoir being hydraulically coupleable to a water pump and accessible through the top aperture, a steamer control box, the steamer control box being communicably coupled to a steamer control switch and the water pump, a vaporization channel, the vaporization channel being hydraulically coupleable to the water pump and may include a heating element being communicably coupleable to the steamer control box, and a steam diffuser. The steam diffuser is hydraulically coupleable to the vaporization channel; a dryer subsystem; the dryer subsystem including a dryer control box. The dryer control box may include a fan speed control switch and a temperature control switch, an electric motor; the electric motor may include a drive shaft being communicably coupled to the dryer control box and the steamer control box, a fan blade, the fan blade being in physical communication with the drive shaft, and a plurality of heating coils. The plurality of heating coils are communicably coupled to the dryer control box; and a power supply; the power supply being in electrical communication with the steamer control box, the steamer control switch, the water pump, the heating element, the dryer control box, the fan speed control switch, the temperature control switch, the electric motor, and the plurality of heating coils.

A method of using the combination blow dryer and garment steamer system for drying hair and releasing wrinkles from fabric is also disclosed herein. The method of using the combination blow dryer and garment steamer system for drying hair and releasing wrinkles from fabric may comprise the steps of: providing a combination blow dryer and garment steamer system as described; connecting the standard plug of the power supply to a standard electrical outlet; setting the temperature control switch and the fan speed control switch to the desired configuration; drying a user's hair; and setting the temperature control switch and the fan speed control switch to the off configuration. The method may further comprise the steps of: setting the steamer control switch and fan speed control switch to the desired configuration; steaming a garment or article of fabric; and setting the steamer control switch and fan speed control switch to the off configuration. It may be more cost effective and safer to heat and/or route the steam separately in certain embodiments above instead of through the heating coils that are surrounded by heat and water-resistant material within the barrel.

For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and methods of use for the present disclosure, a combination blow dryer and garment steamer system, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of the combination blow dryer and garment steamer system for drying hair, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the combination blow dryer and garment steamer system useful also for steaming a garment and drying hair, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is rear perspective view of the combination blow dryer and garment steamer system for drying hair and releasing wrinkles from fabric of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the combination blow dryer and garment steamer system for drying hair and releasing wrinkles from fabric of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the combination blow dryer and garment steamer system for drying hair and releasing wrinkles from fabric, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of use for the combination blow dryer and garment steamer system for drying hair and releasing wrinkles from fabric, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As discussed above, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an electric heating means and more particularly to a combination blow dryer and garment steamer system as used to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of hand-manipulative electric heating devices.

Generally, the combination blow dryer and garment steamer system combines the functionality of two often-used household items into one package. Part blow dryer, part handheld steamer; the combination blow dryer and garment steamer system is perfect for travelers, business-people, those looking to reduce clutter, and more. The combination blow dryer and garment steamer system includes a body which is constructed from high-endurance plastic and lined with mica to block out heat and moisture. As a blow dryer, simply select the desired temperature and fan speed from the separated switches on the handle and dry your hair easily and quickly. As a steamer, flip the switch on the top of the body from Off to either Low or High. These settings represent the fan speed which results in either a weaker or stronger stream of steam, respectively. The temperature sets itself and in moments, a jet of steam is propelled out the front funnel. The combination blow dryer and garment steamer system also includes a funnel attachment that will direct the steam more efficiently. Simply fasten it to the end of the combination blow dryer and garment steamer system and enjoy a steam stream that will have wrinkles eliminated quickly.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings by numerals of reference, there is shown in FIGS. 1A-5, various views of a combination blow dryer and garment steamer system 100. FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B show a combination blow dryer and garment steamer system 100 during ‘in-use’ condition(s) 150 by a user 40, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated, the combination blow dryer and garment steamer system 100 may include a durable body 110, a rear grille 116, a removable water reservoir 121, a steamer control switch 124, a power supply 140, and a steam focusing attachment 160. As designed the combination blow dryer and garment steamer system 100 may be used to dry hair, or steam fabric to release wrinkles.

FIG. 2 shows rear perspective view of the combination blow dryer and garment steamer system 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As above, the combination blow dryer and garment steamer system 100 may include a durable body 110, a rear grille 116, a removable water reservoir 121, a steamer control switch 124, a fan speed control switch 132, a temperature control switch 133, a power supply 140, and a steam focusing attachment 160.

Referring now to FIG. 3 showing a side view of the combination blow dryer and garment steamer system 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As above, the combination blow dryer and garment steamer system 100 may include a durable body 110, a durable body 110, a rear grille 116, a removable water reservoir 121, a steamer control switch 124, a fan speed control switch 132, a temperature control switch 133, a power supply 140, and a steam focusing attachment 160. As illustrated, the steam focusing attachment 160 can be removably affixed.

FIG. 4 shows an exploded view of the combination blow dryer and garment steamer system 100 for drying hair and releasing wrinkles from fabric, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As above, the combination blow dryer and garment steamer system 100 may include a steam production subsystem 120, a dryer subsystem 130, and a power supply 140.

The steam production subsystem 120 includes a removable water reservoir 121 which can be removed from the durable body 110, filled with water by a user 40, and then reattached to the durable body 110 through the top aperture 119. When attached, the removable water reservoir 121 is in hydraulic communication with a water pump 122 which draws water from the removable water reservoir 121 and pumps it to a vaporization channel 125 which is in hydraulic communication with the water pump 122 and has a heating element 126 capable of heating the water sufficiently to produce steam. The vaporization channel 125 is in hydraulic communication with a steam diffuser 127, which diffuses the steam. Once diffused, the steam is pushed out of the front grille 118 via the electric motor 134 having a drive shaft and an attached fan blade 136. The operation of the steamer subsystem 120 can be manipulated by a user 40 via the steamer control switch 124 which is communicably coupled to the steamer control box 123.

The dryer subsystem 130 includes an electric motor 134 having a drive shaft 135 and an attached fan blade 136. The electric motor 134 with attached fan blade 136 draws air in through the rear aperture 115 and rear grille 116 and pushes the air out through the front aperture 117 and front grille 118. The air can be heated while it passes through the plurality of heating coils 137. The operation of the dryer subsystem 130 can be manipulated by a user 140 via the fan speed control switch 132 and the temperature control switch 133 which are communicably coupled to the dryer control box 131.

Referring now to FIG. 5 is a flow diagram 550 illustrating a method of using a combination blow dryer and garment steamer system 500, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated, the a method of using a combination blow dryer and garment steamer system 500 may include the steps of: providing 501 a combination blow dryer and garment steamer system, the system including: a durable body, the durable body including a handle; a barrel, the barrel being generally perpendicular to the handle and may include a rear aperture which may have a rear grille, a front aperture may have a front grille, and a top aperture; a steam production subsystem; the steam production sub-system including a removable water reservoir, the removable water reservoir being hydraulically coupleable to a water pump and accessible through the top aperture, a steamer control box; the steamer control box being communicably coupled to a steamer control switch and the water pump, a vaporization channel; the vaporization channel being hydraulically coupleable to the water pump and may include a heating element being communicably coupleable to the steamer control box, and a steam diffuser. The steam diffuser is hydraulically coupleable to the vaporization channel; a dryer subsystem; the dryer subsystem including a dryer control box. The dryer control box may include a fan speed control switch and a temperature control switch, an electric motor; the electric motor may include a drive shaft being communicably coupled to the dryer control box and the steamer control box, and a fan blade. The fan blade is in physical communication with the drive shaft, and a plurality of heating coils. The plurality of heating coils are communicably coupled to the dryer control box; and a power supply; the power supply being in electrical communication with the steamer control box, the steamer control switch, the water pump, the heating element, the dryer control box, the fan speed control switch, the temperature control switch, the electric motor, and the plurality of heating coils; connecting 502 the standard plug of the power supply to a standard electrical outlet; setting 503 the temperature control switch and the fan speed control switch to the desired configuration; drying 504 a user's hair; and setting 505 the temperature control switch and the fan speed control switch to the off configuration. The method may further comprise the steps of: setting 506 the steamer control switch and fan speed control switch to the desired configuration; steaming 507 a garment or article of fabric; and setting 508 the steamer control switch and fan speed control switch to the off configuration.

It should be noted that steps 506 and 507 are optional steps and may not be implemented in all cases. Optional steps of method of use 500 are illustrated using dotted lines in FIG. 5 so as to distinguish them from the other steps of method of use 500. It should also be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. The use of “step of” should not be interpreted as “step for”, in the claims herein and is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f). It should also be noted that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods for the combination blow dryer and garment steamer system 100 (e.g., different step orders within above-mentioned list, elimination or addition of certain steps, including or excluding certain maintenance steps, etc.), are taught herein.

The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. 

1. A combination blow dryer and garment steamer system for drying hair and releasing wrinkles from fabric comprising: a durable body, said durable body including a handle including a handle base; a barrel, said barrel being generally perpendicular to said handle and including a rear aperture having a rear grille, a front aperture having a front grille, and an upper portion with a top aperture; a steam production subsystem, said steam production subsystem including a removable water reservoir, said removable water reservoir being hydraulically coupleable to a water pump and accessible through said top aperture, a steamer control box, said steamer control box being communicably coupled to a steamer control switch and said water pump, a vaporization channel, said vaporization channel being hydraulically coupleable to said water pump and including a heating element being communicably coupleable to said steamer control box, and a steam diffuser, said steam diffuser being hydraulically coupleable to said vaporization channel; a dryer subsystem, said dryer subsystem including a dryer control box, said dryer control box including a fan speed control switch and a temperature control switch, an electric motor, said electric motor including a drive shaft and being communicably coupled to said dryer control box and said steamer control box, a fan blade, said fan blade being in physical communication with said drive shaft, and a plurality of heating coils, said plurality of heating coils being communicably coupled to said dryer control box; and a power supply, said power supply being in electrical communication with said steamer control box, said steamer control switch, said water pump, said heating element, said dryer control box, said fan speed control switch, said temperature control switch, said electric motor, and said plurality of heating coils.
 2. The combination blow dryer and garment steamer system of claim 1, wherein said durable body comprises plastic.
 3. The combination blow dryer and garment steamer system of claim 2, wherein said durable body includes a heat and moisture resistant lining.
 4. The combination blow dryer and garment steamer system of claim 1, wherein said system further comprises a steam focusing attachment.
 5. The combination blow dryer and garment steamer system of claim 4, wherein said steam focusing attachment is removably attachable to said front grille.
 6. The combination blow dryer and garment steamer system of claim 1, wherein said steamer control switch is located on the upper portion of said barrel between said top aperture and said rear aperture.
 7. The combination blow dryer and garment steamer system of claim 6, wherein said fan speed control switch is located on said handle.
 8. The combination blow dryer and garment steamer system of claim 6, wherein said temperature control switch is located on said handle.
 9. The combination blow dryer and garment steamer system of claim 1, wherein said power supply comprises a standard electrical cord and plug.
 10. The combination blow dryer and garment steamer system of claim 9, wherein said power supply is located at the handle base.
 11. The combination blow dryer and garment steamer system of claim 1, wherein said electric motor is sealed.
 12. The combination blow dryer and garment steamer system of claim 11, wherein said electric motor is waterproof.
 13. The combination blow dryer and garment steamer system of claim 1, wherein said steamer control box is waterproof.
 14. The combination blow dryer and garment steamer system of claim 13, wherein said dryer control box is waterproof.
 15. The combination blow dryer and garment steamer system of claim 1, wherein said steamer control switch and said fan speed control switch each include an off setting, a low setting, and a high setting.
 16. The combination blow dryer and garment steamer system of claim 1, wherein said temperature control switch includes a cool setting, a low setting, and a high setting.
 17. The combination blow dryer and garment steamer system of claim 15, wherein said steamer control box is configured to operate said steam production subsystem based on input from said steamer control switch.
 18. A combination blow dryer and garment steamer system for drying hair and releasing wrinkles from fabric, the combination blow dryer and garment steamer system comprising: a durable body, said durable body including a handle with a handle base; a barrel, said barrel being generally perpendicular to said handle and including a rear aperture having a rear grille, a front aperture having a front grille, and an upper portion with a top aperture; a steam production subsystem, said steam production subsystem including a removable water reservoir, said removable water reservoir being hydraulically coupleable to a water pump and accessible through said top aperture, a steamer control box, said steamer control box being communicably coupled to a steamer control switch and said water pump, a vaporization channel, said vaporization channel being hydraulically coupleable to said water pump and including a heating element being communicably coupleable to said steamer control box, and a steam diffuser, said steam diffuser being hydraulically coupleable to said vaporization channel; a dryer subsystem, said dryer subsystem including a dryer control box, said dryer control box including a fan speed control switch and a temperature control switch, an electric motor, said electric motor including a drive shaft and being communicably coupled to said dryer control box and said steamer control box, a fan blade, said fan blade being in physical communication with said drive shaft, and a plurality of heating coils, said plurality of heating coils being communicably coupled to aid dryer control box; a power supply, said power supply being in electrical communication with said steamer control box, said steamer control switch, said water pump, said heating element, said dryer control box, said fan speed control switch, said temperature control switch, said electric motor, and said plurality of heating coils; and wherein said durable body is made from plastic; wherein said durable body includes a heat and moisture resistant lining; wherein said system further comprises a steam focusing attachment; wherein said steam focusing attachment is removably attachable to said front grille; wherein said steamer control switch is located on the upper portion of said barrel between said top aperture and said rear aperture; wherein said fan speed control switch is located on said handle; wherein said temperature control switch is located on said handle; wherein said power supply comprises a standard electrical cord and plug; wherein said power supply is located at the handle base; wherein said electric motor is sealed; wherein said electric motor is waterproof; wherein said steamer control box is waterproof; wherein said dryer control box is waterproof; and wherein said steamer control box is configured to operate said steam production subsystem based on input from said steamer control switch.
 19. A method of using a combination blow dryer and garment steamer system, the method comprising the steps of: providing a combination blow dryer and garment steamer system, the system including: a durable body, said durable body including a handle; a barrel, said barrel being generally perpendicular to said handle and including a rear aperture having a rear grille, a front aperture having a front grille, and a top aperture; a steam production subsystem, said steam production subsystem including a removable water reservoir, said removable water reservoir being hydraulically coupleable to a water pump and accessible through said top aperture, a steamer control box, said steamer control box being communicably coupled to a steamer control switch and said water pump, a vaporization channel, said vaporization channel being hydraulically coupleable to said water pump and including a heating element being communicably coupleable to said steamer control box, and a steam diffuser, said steam diffuser being hydraulically coupleable to said vaporization channel; a dryer subsystem, said dryer subsystem including a dryer control box, said dryer control box including a fan speed control switch and a temperature control switch, an electric motor, said electric motor including a drive shaft and being communicably coupled to said dryer control box and said steamer control box, a fan blade, said fan blade being in physical communication with said drive shaft, and a plurality of heating coils, said plurality of heating coils being communicably coupled to said dryer control box; and a power supply, said power supply being in electrical communication with said steamer control box, said steamer control switch, said water pump, said heating element, said dryer control box, said fan speed control switch, said temperature control switch, said electric motor, and said plurality of heating coils; connecting the standard electrical cord and plug of the power supply to a standard electrical outlet; setting the temperature control switch and the fan speed control switch to the desired configuration; drying a user's hair; and setting the temperature control switch and the fan speed control switch to the off configuration.
 20. The method of claim 19, further comprising the steps of: setting the steamer control switch and fan speed control switch to the desired configuration; steaming a garment and alternately an article of fabric; and setting the steamer control switch and fan speed control switch to the off configuration. 